THE leader of Surrey’s Liberal Democrats has been accused of hypocrisy after criticising county council spending despite racking up more than £5,200 of her own travel expenses.

Councillor Hazel Watson has roundly criticised the county council over the last three months after it was revealed that it spent £4,158 on two day trips to Farnham Castle.

Public pressure caused the council to cancel plans to return to the conference venue in June.

However, the Conservative-run council launched its retaliation in cabinet as Cllr Watson asked for a pledge that it would only use its own premises for meetings.

Council leader David Hodge, said: “I wonder if you understand the importance of the figure £5,215, or have any idea what that represents?

“That is the total amount of council taxpayers’ money that you have spent yourself. This is money that you have spent travelling to conferences.”

The Conservatives revealed Cllr Watson had spent £3,529 on entry to local government conferences, and claimed a further £1,444 in hotel bills and an additional £242 on train fares.

Cllr Hodge added: “When you go, you are not going to make decisions that will affect the people of Surrey. You don’t have any financial responsibilities.”

Cllr Watson was criticised for ‘political point scoring’ while the Conservative cabinet claimed her criticism showed a lack of understanding of council business.

Cllr Hodge said: “I am beginning to wonder whether you, as a leader, really understand what goes on at the county council.

“There are hundreds of meetings that go on every day. Some will be small meetings and some will be large. I think it’s important to bear in mind that this is a very large organisation with huge responsibilities, and it is important the people of Surrey know that this council ensures, whenever there is a meeting, that it represents value for money.”

Councillor Mary Angell said: “We recently had a meeting with about 500 members of the teaching profession.

“No council premises are big enough for that so we used the HG Wells theatre in Woking.

“We are very mindful of the costs and your criticism shows a lack of understanding of what our staff do.”

Cllr Denise Le Gal said: “Farnham Castle is being portrayed as a luxurious, five-star hotel, but in reality it is not in a great state of repair and it’s very good value.”

Cllr Hodge added: “It is an important decision that I have to sometimes make that my cabinet might need to go away from the council for a day or two.

“We will always look for the best possible value.

“I have been asked by the owners of five-star hotels to come and stay with them but I have always said no. I always choose the place that is reasonable value.

“Perhaps you would be kind enough to ensure that when you do ask questions of us they are about the roles and responsibilities of the council and how we can do the best for our residents, as that is what we are here for.”

The Lib Dems recently criticised the council for its spending on overseas trips, revealing the taxpayer paid the £8,518 bill for visits made to Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Norway and China.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Watson dismissed the Conservatives’ criticism of her spending. She said: “These were all conferences that were attended by a great number of councillors, including Conservatives.

“To respond to criticisms of the spending of a whole cabinet with attacks on a single councillor is very petty.”